OLYMPIC CYCLIST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 29, 4 February 1939, Page 4

OLYMPIC CYCLIST

WILL DUNCAN GRAY TURN PROFESSIONAL? "VEILED” OFFERS RECEIVED As far as Australia is concerned lhe.-e has been no noticeable trend towards professionalism by Olympic representatives other than cycling. Nearly eleven years have passed since Duncan Gray raced at Amsterdam, yet he is still loyal to amateurism. But for how long more? (asks "Wheeler" in the Sporting Globe). r,ven before Olympic days amateurs had to show strength to resist the call. How they persisted in oarracking Wally Kerr to tackle "Zimmy,” and renewed their desire to see him a "pro." after he returned with Ben Goodson from a tout abroad. Ben yielded. Wally remained a lily-white. Right down to the present comparatively few have been content to stay in the ranks where they first earned distinction. Now Duncan Gray stand in splendid isolation. But in the last ten years there have been only two periods when the Goulburn star wa. a free agent. Agreements to remain in amateurism for two years have been made before setting out toi each Olympiad and Empiad, and a these occurred every two years, he was bound almost continuously froi. 1928 to 1938. The exception was after the Amsterdam bond expired. Then he had a lull tor two years through there being no cycling at the Hamilto. (Canada) Empiad. And for the Sydney Games there was no agreeincnl for tile Australians to sign, so agair he is a free man for the tirst linn since 1931-32.